Cycling Helmets

I've never tried to tie a helmet on to my carry on bag but I have tied my hiking boots on to the bag. No problem. Unless you're flying one of the really low cost airlines that make their money by dinging you for everything including coffee I would think it would be ok.

In the past I've gone on 3 Butterfield & Robinson cycling trips and couldn't be bothered dealing with a helmet - so I purchased them there.

I will have to try tying it onto my bag! Hiking boots are another issue. Since they are so bulky and take up too much room in my carry-on, when traveling I wear them instead of packing. I would much rather wear a lighter-weight shoe on the plane so I might try what you do also.

I guess purchasing a helmet would be an option if you arrived in an area with cycling shops, had enough time to go shopping, and the stores were open the day(s) before cycling began but that is not always an option.

Actually, I think I purchased them from the support van i.e. the tour company. And then I gave them away to hotel workers at our last hotel.

Just clip it to your back pack. That's how I have taken my helmet when flying to distant bike rides.

Clip your helmet to your carry-on pack. Helmets are not optional. A former boss suffered a tramatic head injury on a barge and bike tour. He had to be medicaved back to the States on a medical charter for long term recovery.

We did two week long luggage supprtted bike tours using hybred touring bikes rented from the outfitter. We brought our own helmets saddles and pedals an of course cycling shoes. Touring company's bike mechanics attached our saddles and pedals.

We always wore them on the plane just like any hat. Sometimes we hear a few jokes as we walk down the aisle. Then find a corner in the overhead to stuff them. When we bring our bikes, then they just go into the case.

Deb, are you still flying Lufthansa? They have a very low limit on the thickness of the “personal item”—-10 cm (less than 4 inches). Attaching the helmet to that will make it way too bulky and they may not allow it. What airline were your friends flying?

Lola:

I have flown Lufthansa in the past and packed them in my carry-bag; just fits the dimensions.

As for now? As I mentioned in another post, Lufthansa accidentally refunded my tickets and, according to them, has no way to give them back to me so I would have to start the ticket purchase process all over. Since this issue, I have developed a medical issue and must wait until 23 September at the earliest to find out if I am allowed to go. If I am, I will begin the ticket process again but with another airline. Someone suggested flying to Brussels then taking the train to Luxembourg City so I may try that. As of now, I have no idea whether I will be able to go and decided a trip cancellation is the least of my worries.

TSA carry-on should not be a problem:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/helmets

PS The overhead shelf use to be called a hat (and coat) shelf:
https://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_15/overhead_story.html

Overhead stowage bins were never designed to replace the checking of
baggage for transport in the cargo compartment of the airplane. In
fact, early airplane models, such as the 707, 727, and 737, provided a
limited overhead stowage. These appropriately named “hat racks”
were limited to stowing emergency equipment and soft items such as
coats, hats, blankets, and pillows.

I believe my husband put his helmet in a small back pack that he had on the plane. He took an old one and he just left it behind after using it.

The first time I went to Europe to bike I was advised to pack everything critical in my carry-on. So I packed my helmet, shoes, pedals, seat, etc. in my carry-on. Lufthansa weighed and measured it in Chicago and made me gate-check it. It was fine for US domestic sizes, too big for Europe.

Ever since, I just pack that stuff in my checked bag. I pad my arrival to allow for travel delays and jet lag (who wants to jump on a bike with your body clock off by 9 hours?). If my bag doesn't make it in time, they do have bike shops in Europe, I've heard.